Explained: What is LNG and why does the EU want so much of it?

The EU is betting massive on liquefied pure fuel (LNG) to interchange the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of fuel it at present buys from its foremost supplier: Russia, a state accused of launching an unprovoked conflict of aggression towards Ukraine.

As a part of an bold plan to strengthen power independence and deprive the Kremlin of its profitable gasoline gross sales, the bloc is breaking month-to-month information for LNG imports.

A current deal with the USA will present an additional 15 billion cubic metres (bcm) by the tip of the 12 months, with the purpose of bumping annual provides to 50 bcm earlier than 2030.

What makes LNG so engaging for the EU?

LNG is fuel that has been cooled all the way down to -162ºC to achieve a liquid state, some extent at which it turns into about 600 instances smaller. This makes LNG simpler to move to import-reliant areas, just like the EU, which imports round 90% of its fuel wants.

Tanks are shipped after which unloaded at ports outfitted with specialised terminals, the place the liquid is heated up and returned to its authentic gaseous state. From there, the fuel is transported by means of pipelines to energy vegetation, factories and households.

Importantly, LNG is produced by a wide range of suppliers all over the world, together with the US, Qatar, Egypt, Israel, Nigeria and Australia, providing the bloc a technique to diversify its provide chains whereas avoiding new dependencies.

On the draw back, demand for LNG is extraordinarily excessive, with operators at most capability and rich nations vying for tankers on the similar time. Costs have steadily elevated in current months and are anticipated to stay excessive so long as the disruption attributable to conflict persists.

In a bid to stop a race to the underside between member states, the European Fee has proposed joint purchases of fuel, constructing upon the teachings discovered from the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines.

One other main drawback is that the present LNG infrastructure is closely concentrated in coastal states in Western Europe. This leaves landlocked nations of Central and Jap Europe principally disconnected from the community, a state of affairs that perpetuates dependency on Russian pipelines.

Much more worryingly, LNG is a polluting fossil gasoline that contributes to local weather change. The EU’s push to spice up imports has been extensively criticised by environmental organisations, which argue the technique contravenes the spirit of the European Inexperienced Deal and the commitments made beneath the Paris Settlement.

“The concentrate on swapping one supply of soiled gasoline with one other retains bankrolling environmental destruction and human rights abuses, and can lock in fossil fuel for many years to come back,” stated Silvia Pastorelli, a local weather campaigner at Greenpeace EU.

Watch the video above to be taught extra about LNG.